Air-seal device



March 31, 1931. 5, HQWARTH 1,798,204

AIR SEAL DEVICE Filed Nov. 3, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W X r March 31, 1931. H. A. s. HOWARTH AIR SEAL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 3, 1928 Enventor N wa mm km W a v v k N QNKN Patented Mar. 31 1931 a V HARRY a. s. nowazz rn, or 'rninannnrnra, runns'i'ivenie, As-sieuonro KINGS-I BURY MACHINE WORKS, TION OF DELAWARE INCL, OF PHILADELPEIL'L, PENNSYLVANIA,,A GORPGRA AIR-SEAL DEVICE Application filed November 3, 1328. Serial no. 317,031.

This invention relates to air seal devices for bearings, and m'ore particularly tomeans or preventing a rotatable bearin member from churning air into the oil-adgacent the a periphery oisaid bearing 'member. In the patent to Kingsbury and Howarth, 1,501,404, of July 15, 1924:, means are provided tor the prevention of the churnin of air into the oil at the outer periphery of arotatable beari-ng member, comprising means for establishing an air seal of relatively air free oil surrounding the outer periphery of said memher. It has been found in practice that while air seals of this cha-ractera're effective to prevent mixture of air with the oil at the outer peripheries of high speed bearing members,

still under some circumstances air may be drawn into the O1]. mother places such as at the radially inner periphery of the bea-rmg members, and the eiliciency of the lubrication impaired thereby.

It is .an ob]ect of this invention therefore to provide a rota-table bearing member with novel means for preventing mixture of ai-r with the oil which lubricates the bearing surfaces.

Another object is to provide a rotatable bearing member with novel means for maintaining an air seal between the atmosphere and the oil being fed to the bearing suriaces.

Other objects and advantages will-appear to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The invention is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, several of which are shown in the accompanying drawin-gsbut it is to be expressly understood that i the drawings are for purposes of illustration cnly,*a'nd are-not to be construed as afdefiiii tion of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

' Relierring to the drawings, wherein the same reference characters are'ieniployed to designate corresponding parts the figures: Fig. '1 is a'half-a'xial section of one'typ'e'of bearingto which the present invention isap plicable; y p l Fig.2 is a half-axial section of such arbearing,xshowing one embodimentof the invention;

Fig. 3 is a half-axial section of'a second embodiment or thefinvention; I I

Fig. i isa halt-axial section of one formof the invention combined with the 'structureof.

the above cited patent;

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are half-axial sections or other embodiments of the invention;

Fig. '8 is ahalf-a'xial sectionofandthereim bodiment of the invention;

Fig; 9 is a halt-axial section bodinient'of the invention; Y I

Fig. 10 is a half-axial section of "another embodimentof the invention p Fig. 11 is elevation, partly in aziialsecof another emtion, of the invention as applied .to a horn.

Zontal shaft; and v M Fig. 12 is a vertical mid-"sectional view'oi the structure shown in Fig. 11.

- Referring first to Fig. lot the drawings,

numeral 1 indicates a shaft provided in any suitable way with a thrust block 2to which is connected in any suitable way a thrust collar .3 of anysuitable construction and having a bearing surface 14'. Cooperating with said bearing surface 4 is .a stationary bearingmeniber of any suitable construction, the same being shown as'conipos'ed :of plurality of bearing segments or shoes 6'e'ac'h being provided with av bearing surface '7.

Said bearing shoes '6 may be mounted iin any suitable way, but are prei'erably"t1l -t ably or flexibly mounted so that theymay'ti' lt both circumferentially to createand maintain wedge-shaped oil films, and radially .so as to maintain substantially uniform bearing engagement in radial direction with the bearing surface of the thrust collar, all "being in let 9 is provided with an upstanding wall 10 encircling the bearing and cooperating wlth a'cylindrical retaining member 11 which is suitably mounted at the center thereof, to

form an oil well in which the thrust bearing is adapted to run submerged in oil. The base ring 8 is preferably provided with, passages 12 to permit the oil to circulate from the body of the oil in the well into operative relation with the relatively rotatable bearing surfaces 4. and 7, as indicated by the arrows.

When the bearing is in operation oil is thrown off tangentially from the periphery of the rotating bearing member 3'and banks up against the outside wall of the pot, as indicated by the dotted line 14. The outward flow of the oil from the rotating bearing members is at the surface, and some of this oil returns to the region of the rotating bearing members within the main body of the oil in the well. In general this oil flows downward along the outer wall of the pot,

and rises along the peripheries of the bearing members as indicated by the arrow 5, thus describing a generally annular path. Then joining the oil that is discharged from between the shoes, it rises along the periphery of the rotating bearing member and is thrown upward and outward again along the surface. It will thus be seen. that air which is taken into the oil at the periphery of the runner, or which is contained in the oil which has passed between the bearing shoes, isthoroughly mixed with the oil. in the reservoir.

At the bore or inner edge of the rotary bearing member or runner 3, the oil-retaining sleeve 11 forms a stationary surface along which the oil from the passages 12 rises on its way to feed the bearing surfaces 4 and 7. This oil is drawn outward .at its free surface and acquires the speed of rotation of the rotary bearing member orrunner 3, thereby filling the revolving bowl 15 formed by the innner surfaces of the runner 3 and thrust block 2, and presenting a parabolic surface as indicatedat 16. When this bowl is full, any additional oil is discharged downward and mixes with the oil below the surface of the runner 3, that is rising tofeed the bearing surfaces. This circulation of rapidly moving oil in contact with the air brings about a mixing of the air with the oil in the bore of the runner so that the oil which enters between the bearing surfaces is aerated, with a consequent reduction in the efficiency of the lubrication.

It has been found by experimentthat if the depth of immersion of the runner is suflicient, the aeration remains near the free surface of the oil and does not extend to the bearing faces. The level of the oil at the bore of the bearing depends upon the level of the oil in the main portion of the pot, upon the rate of flow of the oil radially outward between the bearing shoes and bearing surfaces as affected by the resistance encountered in thepath of flow, and upon any diiferences pressure which may exist between the a1r 1n the bore of the bearing and the-outside atmosphere. Sometimes bearings of this type are used in machines wherethere is a relatively lower pressure below the thrust bearing than in the air above it. This causes a flow downward of air between the shaft and the oil retainer 11. To control this variation in pressure, the oil retainer 11 may be fitted closely to the shaft 1 at its upper end, and may be made with an internally 'serratedsurface at its upper end adjacent said shaft, and air vents such as indicated at 17 may be formed in the thrust member 2 of suflicient size to prevent the formation of an undue vacuum in the bore of the bearing members which might draw theoil over the top of the retainer member 11 and cause it to flow downwardalong the shaft. H V I One method of overcoming aeration of the oil is illustrated-in Fig.2 which shows a ver tical thrust bearing substantially similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, the similar parts being indicated by the same reference numerals. In this case the outside of the base ring 8 is provided with acylindrical wall 20 which extends upwardly in close proximity to an annular rib 21 which projects laterally from the rotary bearing member or runner 3. The flange 20 is provided with suitable openings 22 located below the rib21 of the runner 3 in order to allow circulation of the oil between the bearing shoes 6 and across the bearing surfaces 4 and 7. The radially inner surface of the runner 3 is also provided with an annular rib or ledge 23 which extends into close proximity with the oil retaining sleeve 11 and prevents the circulation of aerated oil from the chamber 15 downward to mix with the oil entering between the bearing surfaces. It will be seen that with this construction the oil may circulate through the bearing members without being thrown into contact with the air, and that the mixture of air with the oil is thus effectively reduced to a minimum.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 2 in which the ribs 21 and 23 on the runner 3,0fFig. 2 are re placed by floating rings 24 and 25, respectively, which are loosely mounted in any suitable way between the thrust member 2 and the runner 3 so thatthey are free to move laterally with respect thereto. T he floating rings 24 and 25 permit the use of small clearances without interfering with the freedom of the shaft to. move slightly in lateral directions.

mas-see The rings effectively: seal the rapidly, moving oil ,from the atmosphere and thus ,prevent; the aeration of the oil. Inthe structure illustrated in Figv t, the runner 3 is provided with an outwardlyeX-;- tendingannular Hang-e21 and aninwardly, extending rib 23 substantiallysimilarto the corresponding elementsin Fig.2, ;A charnel-shaped ring .nie1nber-26 .is adjustably 1O illustrated in the ahovecited patent-to King s;-; buryv and Howarth, and fornis ian-toil seal around the runner 3 in the manner set forth in saidipatent. The stationary .basering S shoulder 27,.and a cylindrical floating bafile member 28 is adapted to rest upon the shoul-a der 27 and to extend upwardly beyondthe rib 23 and in closeiproximity thereto. Ver-- tical channels 29 arejormedin the inner surfaceiof the; .base.ring;8; in orderrto allow free circulation of the lubricantfrom the passages 12t0 thebearing surfaces,- and the bafilemem; ber;28 has outwardly extending lugs 39 which areadapted to engage loosely-in the channels 29 and preven'tthe rotation of the bafllemem= her without preventing someradial movement; of said member as permitted by the clearancebetween said member and the base rings; {It will be seenthat the oil can rise without-in-o terference in the space ibetweenlthe oilretainingmember 11 and the baflleniember 28 and feed over. the top of the battle member; to the boreof the runner but; is prevented;

-. 3 tronrcoining down and mixingiwitlr theoilpassing between the bearing members by reag son of the small clearanceallowedbetween the rib 23 on-t-he lrunneriandthe baiilemein; ber2S.- v

Figno illustrates the use'ot a cylindrical bathe meniber such as 28 in Eiglgt, whichis mounted in a somewhat difierent manner In this casethe base ring 8 is provided with dowels 31 extendinginwardlyfrom its inner surface, and-a cylindrical baille'rnemben.28,j which, is preferably formedtromsheet metal, is notched at its lower; endas shown-at 132 in order to fit over the dowels-31. In this structure the bearing-shoesfi and- -runnel=.-.3 may be mounted in position, and thereafter the bafiie member 28 may be lowered into, place with the notches 32 engaging the dowels, 3l without danger of arnming the partseor of injuring the bearing surfaces in such assembly. Otherwise the structureland manner of operation or the embedirnent;oi Fig. 5 is or maybethe same as thatot Fig-Ase far as the inner seal is concerned v The structure illustratedin Fig; 6 is gen-- erally similar to the disclosurerin Fig. 5 ex cept that the upper end of thebafie member 28 has attached thereto in any-suitable way. an L-shaped ring 33 which sadapted to even lie the inwardly extending rib 23 ,onthe r== runner 3; A ring 3a,.L shaped in Cross secinounted upon-the base ring=8,in the manner is also provided with an inwardly extending ion',,-i at c ed te the-Emmett, in any suits able ay as bymcans of the screws .35, andis adaptedto enclose-the uppenend of ring- 33 with; slight clearancebetween'the adj acent: surfaces, 1 In this structurethe oilflows'up- 2. ward between the; ,oil retaining cylinder- 11 and-the sleeve 28,- neitheixot Wl1lClLI7QVQl3VBS until it reaches the revolving L-shaped ring 34.. The .oil is thereupon-caused to flow outa wardly by .centrifuga-l torce, thus; lubricating 73 the bearing surfaces between thetwo adj cent rings; The rings 33 band 34- -andaribg 23 cooperate to term an air-sealin and of themselves, and prevent; leakage of aerated. oil idown to thebearingsurfaces.= Thering 5;) 33 is preferably 1nade;of bronze, Whilethe L-sha-p d r g 35: fixed to th runnerfiimayhe made of steehso t a expansion of t e :two ring members caused y h ti g 1 Q =-the..:0i ill-tend to increaseathe cleara ceatherebe; s5 tween; gland prevent danger of seizure; The cl ar'a eeabetween thering anditherunner. 3 is sufficicntsrto; p ev nt seizure on rise; "oil t mperaturepin theoil while th reis. sufficient: learan e between V-rmembera128. a d: the sur 9 rounding parts seas motto ntertere-witltthe proper operation of the zrunnerr: I v

In the structure showm Eignt, asleeve; 36 is fixed in spacedrelation/to the. oil rllflfiflihr: ing cylinderjll' by any suitable-means, such as the rivets ,"the upper; endof the-sleeve fi being provided with; passages :38 between the, sleeve and cylindergll in order-to allow tree passage of the oil into the space above the} runner 3: .LA fio'ating'iring 1:39 is mounted 5 190 bea-rclosely" against the "Outer; surface, of the upper: .endzot' Sleeve: :36, and extends into 2 4a, grooved-n the Praline-r 3 fOII Q lrby h hl rQiefition.;23 and a: ringel-fixed to the 111111 61313 7 in any suit-ablemanner as by t e screws fi- The ningz39-is provided: with rooves; 40.11pm

its upper and lower; faceswhereby: U shaped: passages are formed which permitsthe oilt'o flow. outwa d; filownward," and th nainward; again; when the loearinggisin operationm In this: manner an oil circulation is maintained somewhat 5 similar vto that; deseribed in Fig.

1 whereby the oil flows upwardly between the sleeve86 and the cylinder 11 and thenadown-r ward around the'-ring 39.; HoWever,any.:air-- which is entrained in the oil-above the runner; 3 will not-follow thecilas it passesaround; the ring139, by 'reason'of the increased p'res sure 'which is; encountered within the grooves In Fig. 8 a sleeve 43 is "prQvidedwhich surroundsthe cylinderkll in spaced relation ship :therewith, and which is providedjwitha a: 1 ring 44 suitably attachedto the 'upperiendi thereof as by means of rivets-4L5. v, The upper 12 end of 7 cylinden 11 is 1 provided with lugs; whicho-cooperate-with corresponding notches in the ring A4; to preventrotation of the sleeve- 43.: The sleeveli is adapted-to bearilightly, within the rib 23 of runner 3; andisprovided 1 pansion of these elements will slightly in-l with suitable openings 46 to allow the oil to flow upward betweenthe sleeve 43 and cylinder 11 and fill the space above the runner 3. Mixture of the 'aeratedoil above the run ner 3 with the oil flowing between the thrust bearing surfaces is prevented by the contact of sleeve 43 with the rib 23 on the runner 3.

In the structure shown in Fig. 9 therunner 3 is provided with an inwardlyextending shoulder 47 and a ring 48, L-shaped in cross section, is fixed against said shoulder in any suitable way with a portion thereof extending downwardly in spacedrelation to the runner 3. A sleeve 49 is adapted to surround the oil retainer 11, being spaced therefrom and having interlocking engagement with lugs 50 which are suitably fixed to the oilretainerll. Sleeve 49 is provided with an upper offset portion 51 which has alight bearing contact on the outsideof the L-shaped ring 48. It will be seen that theoil can rise freely between the lugs 50 and pass upwardly between the sleeve 49 and oil retainer 11, but is prevented from thereafter coming downward to mix with the oilpassing through the thrust bearing surfaces, by reason of the bearing contact between the'portion 51 of sleeve-49 and the ring 48. Ring 48 is preferably made of steel, while the sleeve 49may be made of bronze in order that thermal excrease the clearance between these members and thus prevent any danger of their binding. l 7

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 10 the runner 3 isprovided with smooth cylindrical interior and exterior surfaces, and means are provided cooperating with either or'both thereof to form oil seals therewith." Theouter seal is formed by an annular member 53 which is mounted in'any suitable way upon the base ring 8 andnonrotatably attached thereto as by means of the dowels 5.4. The annular member53 is adapted to closely surround the runner 3 andis provided with a pair of circular grooves 55 and 56 upon its inner surface.- The'lower groove 56 is provided with aninlet 57'on its lower side, and a dam adjacent thereto which causes the groove to operate as a viscosity pump. An outlet 59 leading into the groove 55 is located on theoppositeside of the damso that rotation v of the bearing causes the groove 55 to be filled with oil under pressure,

thus forming an effective air seal. The annular member 53 is provided with suitable openings 60 which allow the circulation of the oil from the thrust bearing surfaces. an oil seal for the inner periphery of the rotatable bearing member asecond annulus 61 is fixedly mounted in anysuitable way adjacent the inner surface thereon-and is fo'rmed to provide a viscosity pump 62 and an oil s ealing'groove 63 which is supplied with oill under pressure from saidpumpk A'down wardly extending pipe 64 may be attached to the inlet of the viscosity pump 62 in any suitable way in order to insure a constant supply of oil to the viscosity pump irrespective of variations in the level of the oil in the pot. It will be noted that in this structureany leakage of oil between the annuli 53 and 61 and the surfaces of the runner 3 will be upward and outward, and surface oil is effectively prevented from entering the thrust bearings. The oil which flows upward and outward from the'groove 55 of the annulus 53 flows, or is thrown, outward and takes up very little air, so that it does not cause aeration of the oil in the pot.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate an application of a viscosity pump and sealing grooves to a horizontal bearing. A stationary annulus 65 of any suitable construction is caused to closely encircle the rotating member 66 to be sealed. The annulus 65 is provided with a central viscosity pump groove 67 and two oil sealing grooves 68. The groove 67 is provided with a suitable dam; 69 cooperating therewith to form the viscosity pump, and openings 7 0 are provided adjacent said dam to conduct the oil under pressure to the sealing grooves 68 and thus prevent entry of air into the viscosity pump and the consequent mixture of air with the oil discharged therefrom to lubricate the bearings.

a While the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings have been de-' scribed with considerable particularity, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not restricted thereto, as the same is capable of receiving a variety of other mechanical expressions some of which will now readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, while certain features thereof are capable of use without other features. Changes may also be made in the details of construction, arrangement and proportion of parts without departing from the spirit of this invention. While the invention has been shown as embodied in a bearing employing flexibly or tiltably mounted bearing segments, it is to be understood that-the invention is not restrictedthereto, as it is capable of application to bearings employing bearing members of other construction. Reference is therefore to be had to the claims hereto appended for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bearing in combination with rotatable and stationary bearing members and an oil well in which the bearing surfaces of said members are disposed, cooperating means carried by the rotatable bearing member and a stationary part for forming narrowly restricted oil passages between the free surface of the oil and the oil flowing to saidbearing surfaces.

2. In a bearing in combinationwith rotat- Cir able and stationarybearing member's andan oil well in which the bearing surfaces of said members are disposed, I cooperating means carriedby the rotatable bearing member-and a stationary part beneaththe level of the oil and disposed in close proximity so as to form na'r rowly re "ricted oil passages beneath the free surface of the oil and between the fre'e surface of the oil and the oil flowing to said bearing surfaces. 7 I

3.--In a bearing, in combination with 'rotat able and stationary bearing members, said bearing providing a circulation of oilbetween said bearing members5'means between theciroulating oil and the free surface of the oil for segregating a body oil to whichtheair has access from the circulating oil as itflows to the bearing surfaces. 7 i. In a bearing, in combination with rotatable and stationary bearing members,-said bearing providing a circulation of; 011 be tween saidb'earing'inembers, means between the eirenlating oil and'thefree surface of-the oil for segregz'iting body of-oil' towhich the air has access 'fi'omtheeireulating'oil as itfiows to the bearing s-iirfaces, said body 11 a ring narrowly restricted Communication with said circulating oil. y y

5 In a bearing", in combination with rotatable and station'ary bearing-members; said bearing providing a circulation of oil-be tween said bearing members,'- cooperating elements onthe rotatable and 3 stationary parts of the bearing structure for segregatingthe oil set in motion adjacent the free surface of the oilat the bore of the'rotatable bearing member 'fromthe oil flowing to the bearing surfaces.

6. In a bearing, in'combination withr'otat able and stationary-bearing members,' "said bearing providing a eir'oulation of-oil' be tween said bearing members, means providing' a body ofoil'under pressure for sealing the circulating oil from'the air as it flows to the bearing members. I

7. In a bearing; in combination with ro= tatable and stationary bearing members and an oilwell in which the bearing surfaces of said members aredi sposed, a stationary-wall coaxial with the rotatable'bearing member and forming an annular oil"chamber there with, and means to substantially prevent the passage of oil fromsaid chamber to'the-bear} ing surfaces of the bearing members.

8. In a bearing, in combination with rotatable and stationary bearing members and an oil well inwhieh the bearing surfaces of said members are disposecha stationary wall coaxial with the rotatable bearing member and forming anannular oilchamber therewith, and an annular projection on the rotatable bearing memberextending intoclose proximity to the wall and adapted to substantially prevent the passage of-oil fremsaid eham her to the bearing surfaces of the bearing members.

9. In a bearin in eombination-witlrrotatable and stationary bearing m'embers and an oil well in which the bearing surfaces of said members "are disposed; stationary oylin drical wall coaxial withj'the rotatable bearing memberyand a floating ring carried by the rotatable bearing memberand "cooperating with the eylindric'al 'wall to form a'n-oil 'seal therewith. In a-bearing combination-withirotat'abl'e' and stationary bearing members and an oil well in which the bearing surfaces of said members are disppsedy; cooperating meanscarried by the rotatable bearing member arid-astationary-part and an air sea-l refine- 011 aethe bore(sfthe retatable bearing-member.

'11. In a -baring; in eembihatiefi-witltro tatable and statloiiar ybe n 15er an oil well in wh ieh-the' bea' ngsu'r are i's pesea, I in axial withthe eotatable be r ingaaeabea, and meansearriecl by theft thble belrifig rfiem heme d coeperaan'g withfsaid eaaiarwan te terin an air seal' filfl'iilith one of aid 'CO operating parts beingmouiited tofloat.

l2. In a be ring 'onibii'iatieh with rotatable amt-state ary' bearing embers-aeol n oil well 'in wliih'thebearin v urraces ofsaid members are aispdsea, a e eaterywan arranged within thebore of the rotatable bearin' member and coaxial therewith, and means coepe'rating' therewith as substantially pr'e Vent surface I 011- frem' 'entering 'btween -*'the bearing surfaces. q

13. I In a bearing in combination withro'tat ableand stationary bearing members and" an air-wen in-which thebe'aring surfaces of; said members are-disposed, a- 'stationary wall' ar ranged within the bore of the rotatable-bearin; member and coaxial therewith; time an an 'nular projection oh 1 the rotatable bearing member fektending into sii-tficie'r'itly 5 close proximity with the stationary walk to sub stantiallypreventflow ofoil in'which air is entrained to the oil flowing to the'b'earing surfaces. 4 v i 14;." In *a'be'aring in 'eombination with r0- tatable and stationary bearing members and an oll well in which "the'bearing surfaces, of said members are disposed, a-emtionary wall arranged. within the, bore adjacent the "cir- 'e'um'fere'nce of the rotatable 'bearin'g member and coaxial therewithg and Ineanson the totatable bearing member cooperating with said wall to substantially prevent the passage of oil between thefr'ee' 'surfaee of the oiland the bearing surfaces. e 7 15. Ina bearing in c ombination-with rritatable and stationary bearing members and 'an 'oi1'we11 which the'bearingsurfaces of said members are disposed, a statiefiary wall armg-ea withinane adjacent the eireamfer; 1.

ence of the rotatable'bearing' member and co-' axial therewith, said rotatable bearing member. and wall having annular proj ecting members extending into close proximity to'form an air seal; I V

16. In a bearing in Combination with rotatable and stationary bearing members and an oil well inwhich the bearing surfaces ofsaid members are disposed, a fixed support for the stationary bearing member, a wall mounted on said support and extending adjacent the inner wall of the rotatable bearing member, and means on the rotatable bearing member cooperating with the wall to substantially prevent the passage of air to the oil flowing to the bearing surfaces. V V

17. Ina bearing in combination with rotatable and'stationary bearing members and an oil well in which the bearing surfaces of saidfmembers are disposed, a base ring for thestationary bearing member, a wall mount? ed thereon and extending within the bore of the rotatable bearing member, and means on the rotatable bearing member cooperating with said-walltoforma narrowly restricted passagethrough which mixture of air with the oil flowing to the bearing surfaces is substantially prevented.

' -18. In a bearing in combinationwith rotatable and stationary bearing members and an oilwell-in which the bearing surfaces of said members are disposed, a fixedcsupport for the stationary bearing member, a tubular wall splined to said support and extending adjacent the rotatable bearing'member, and means on the rotatable bearing member cooperating with the wall to narrowly restrict the passage of oiltherebetween. a

19.- In a bearing 'in combination with rotatable and stationary bearing members and an oil well in which the bearingsurfaces of said members are disposed, a fixed support for the stationary bearing member, a tubular wall splined to said support and extending adjacent the rotatable bearing member, and an annularmember on the rotatable bearing' extending adjacent the tubular wall and cooperating therewith to narrowly restrict the passage of oil therebetween, the tubular wall having 'a'higher thermal coetficient of ex pansion than the annular member. v v

20. In abearing in combination with rotatable and stationary bearingmembers and an annular oil well in which the bearing surfaces of said members are disposed, a tubular wall fixed in spaced relation to the inner wall offthe well within the bore of the rotatable bearing member, and means on the rotatable bearing member cooperating therewith to restrict the passage of oil between oil in contact with the air and oil flowingto thebearing surfaces; V- "1; 21; In a bearing in combination with rotatable and stationary bearing members and an annular .oil wellincwhich the bearing surfaces of: said members are-disposed, a tubular wall fixedin spaced relation to the'inner wall of the well wi'thin the bore of the rotatable bearing member, and an annular member on the rotatable bearing member extending adjacent the tubular wall and cooperating therewith to restrict the passage of oil between oil in contact with the air and oil. flowing to the bearing surfaces.

22. In a bearing in combination with rotatable and stationary bearing members and an annular oil well in which the bearing surfaces of said members are dis posed, a tubular wall fixed in spaced relation to the inner wall of the well within the bore of the rotatable bearing member, and anannular member on the rotatable bearing member extending adjacentthe tubular wall and cooperating therewith to restrict the passage of oil between oil in contact with the air and oil flowing to the bearing surfaces, the tubular wall having a higher-thermal'coefi'icient of expansion than the annular member.

23. In a bearing in combination with rotatable and stationary bearing members and an annular oil well in which the bearing surfaces of said members'are disposed, a tubular wall fixed in spaced relation to the inner wall of the well within the bore of the rotatable bearing member, and means on the rotatable bearing member cooperating therewith to restrictthe passage of oil between oil in contact with the air and oil flowing to the bearing surfaces, said cylindrical wall providing passages for the oil to submerge the rotatable bearing member.

24. In combination, a rotatable bearing member, a grooved viscosity pump ring cooperating therewith to supply oil to the bearing surfaces, and oil seal for said pump ring preventing the admission of air into said pump. 1 v 1 -25. In a bearing, in combination withrotatable and stationary bearing members, a stationary, grooved oil-sealing ring arranged adjacent the wall of the rotatable bearing member, and means for supplying oil under pressure to the sealing groove. 7

26. In abearing, in'combination with rotatable andstationary bearing members and an oil well in which the bearing surfacesof the bearing members are disposed, a viscosity pump at the bore of the rotatable bearing member and cooperating therewith to prevent the entraining of air in the oil entering between the bearing surfaces. j

'27. In a bearing, in combination with rotatable and stationary bearing members, a stationary, grooved oil-sealing ring arranged adjacent the wall of the rotatable bearin member, and a viscosity pump formed in said ring and cooperating with the rotatable bear ing member tomaintain the sealing groove full of oil under pressure.

-28. In combination, a rotatable bearing member, a grooved viscosity pump ring cooperating therewith to supply oil to the bear ing surfaces, said ring having grooves adapted to surround the rotatable bearing member on each side of the viscosity pump grooves and to be supplied with oil under pressure from said viscosity pump.

29. In a bearing, in combination with rotatable and stationary bearing members and an oil well in which the bearing surfaces of said members are disposed, cooperating members carried by the rotatable bearing member and the oil well and disposed at the bore there of, said members providing restricted oil pas- 1 3 sages from which air will be excluded by pressure in the oil induced by the rotation of said rotatable member.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification. HARRY A. S. HOWARTH. 

